Public works takes annual step to prepare for spring

Spring may be two and a half weeks away, at least according to the calendar, but the town council took an annual rite of spring last week by approving a list of “posted roads,” or roads where access for vehicles weighing more than 23,000 pounds is not permitted under certain conditions between now and early May.

According to Public Works Director Mike Shaw, “to prevent heavy vehicle damage to the town’s road network, it is in Scarborough’s best interest to post road each year during the spring’s annual thaw.” The posting period will be in effect between March 5 and May 11.

The list includes more than 25 roads all across town and additional roads may be posted as necessary. Road conditions are evaluated everyday during the posting period. To check a road’s status, call 730-4400 x 2 any day after 6 a.m. Operators of vehicles that weigh more than 23,000 pounds can obtain a exception to use a posted road during this time by contacting Public Works Operations Supervisor David Pinkham at 730-4410.

“This is an annual ritual for us in Maine,” Town Manager Tom Hall said at the Feb. 21 council meeting. “This allows our public works department to post certain roads. Though the authorization is granted, they only do it when necessary and even with that, they make accommodations for construction.”

The action drew little comment from the council, which passed it unanimously among the five councilors in attendance.

Councilor Shawn Babine and chairman Bill Donovan were absent.

“When I saw this, I thought ‘yay, spring is around the corner,’ so I am very happy to see the road postings,” councilor Jean-Marie Caterina said.